How does the GPS work?

[paxku]

I mean, while I'm driving in my car with my G1 as new (no extra programs):
1- Will the G1 give me directions (like tomtom)?
2- Will I just see GoogleMaps?
3- Will I need a data conection for anything (while driving, I mean)?



If I can use the G1 as a tomtom replacement, I think I'll get it...

 

[punkzanyj]

I mean, while I'm driving in my car with my G1 as new (no extra programs):
1- Will the G1 give me directions (like tomtom)?
2- Will I just see GoogleMaps?
3- Will I need a data conection for anything (while driving, I mean)?



If I can use the G1 as a tomtom replacement, I think I'll get it...

Short Answer: Keep your TomTom


Long Answer: The G1 merely has a transponder that google maps and other apps use. Yes, you can get directions, just like with the web-based google maps. Yes, you can watch your car move through your route, but it will not speak those directions in time with your driving. It does not speak those directions at all. So it does not have turn-by-turn directions in that respect.

A third party app, or a future update may provide this functionality, but it does not exist out of the box, and as of my typing I don't think there's an app on the market that will do what you want either.

I would check back in 6-months to a year to see if things have changed. It might be earlier than that, or it might not be available even after a year. It is hard to say. The phone has been out only a few weeks and has already had one update. The next one we know about will be January and will bring a virtual keyboard to the touchscreen interface. If you know anything about google, they're constantly updating their software and increasing it's functionality. Android-based phones should not be any different.

 

[paxku]

Mmm.

Ok.

Googleing a bit, I found an article (http://androidguys.com/?p=609) about some kind of agreement between Google and TomTom (but only ONE article, so, maybe it's not so so good info).
I hope TomTom software gets to Android.


Anyway, does the maps app needs a constant data connection?

 

[punkzanyj]

Mmm.

Ok.

Googleing a bit, I found an article (http://androidguys.com/?p=609) about some kind of agreement between Google and TomTom (but only ONE article, so, maybe it's not so so good info).
I hope TomTom software gets to Android.


Anyway, does the maps app needs a constant data connection?

There was an issue with my phone last week where I didn't have data at all for half the day, and I could not get maps to load, even with GPS turned on. So yes, I'd say it does need frequent data access.

 

[paxku]

mmm

That's really bad.
So, until tomtom/route66/etc. get their software done for android, I'll surely have to keep back from getting the G1.

Thank you very much punkzanyj
You were really fast and helpful.

 

[pestilence]

Long Answer: The G1 merely has a transponder that google maps and other apps use.

I know I'm being picky, but it's just a receiver - the gps unit doesn't transmit anything

 

[punkzanyj]

I know I'm being picky, but it's just a receiver - the gps unit doesn't transmit anything

that's okay, I picked "transponder" without actually knowing what a transponder actually does.

I guess "thingamagig" would've been a more honest option

 

[athlaig]

honestly how bad of a driver is someone who needs a comp to talk to them, google gps as is works just fine, also if u get llost it really is just ur own fault for not prepping ahead of time

 

[punkzanyj]

honestly how bad of a driver is someone who needs a comp to talk to them, google gps as is works just fine, also if u get llost it really is just ur own fault for not prepping ahead of time

Has nothing to do with being a bad driver.

A few years ago I was on tour doing childrens theatre, driving all over Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio and we had crappy mapquest directions to use. Half the time they were wrong or really confusing. Sometimes the directions came directly from the schools we were visiting and they were still wrong or confusing. This cost us a lot of time, and made us late more than once.

The reason why people like/want audio directions so that they can keep their eyes on the road, rather than dangerously looking away from the road to read directions or figure out the map. At 45mph or faster, you really should keep your eyes on the road. I know some people can tapdance, make an omlette, and play MarioKart while driving -- doesn't mean it's safe.